Stanley G. Gray was born on September 22, 1955, in St. Louis, Missouri. He grew up with his loving parents, Daisy Lee and Sergeant Major (Ret.) Isaiah N. Gray. After graduating from DuVal High School in Lanham, Maryland, in 1972, Senator Barry Goldwater appointed him to the United States Naval Academy (USNA) in 1977. Stanley served with honor, completing various training programs like the Marine Corps Command and Staff College, Amphibious Warfare School, Ranger School, Airborne School, Scuba School, the Marine Corps Amphibious Reconnaissance School, and Survival, Evasion, Resistance, and Escape (SEAR) training. Throughout his time in the USMC, Stanley excelled in the Training, Infantry, Artillery, Ceremonial, and Reconnaissance units, leading four companies for over three years before being forced to retire due to a service-related injury. His achievements have been recognized with numerous awards for valor, merit, and leadership.

After leaving the military, Stanley joined corporate America as a human resource (HR) professional. He worked for several Fortune 100 companies, focusing on organization development, effectiveness and labor, and employee relations. His dedication and leadership skills led him to become the Director or Vice President in the last seven years of his corporate career.

Never shying away from a challenge, Stanley started his own HR practice in 2001. He focused on labor, organizational effectiveness, development, and executive search. At the same time, he set up a commercial real estate investment firm that provided housing for renters in the Tampa/St. Petersburg area.

In line with his commitment to helping others, Stanley has served on the boards of the YMCA, The Boys & Girls Clubs of America, Leadership Tampa, and Hillsborough Kids. He was also appointed to the City of Tampa’s Code Enforcement Board and elected as the Co-Chairperson by his peers.

Stanley founded On Track, a tax-exempt not-for-profit reading program for several of Tampa’s Title One School students. He was also a founding member of The Naval Academy’s Minority Association. He revived the Urban League of Hillsborough County, where he served as President and CEO.

Stanley was also a member of Keiser University’s Advisory Board, the Force Recon Association, and was a Life Member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity and the Naval Academy’s Alumni Association.

For those of you that knew him, Stanley highly valued mentorship. Out of his mentees, all graduated from high school, and 75% went on to college. Just as he would regale stories about his children’s accomplishments, he would also share stories of his mentees’ successes at The White House, in the film industry, in skilled trades work, the military, and real estate investment. To his mentees, Stanley was affectionately and respectfully known as “Mr. Gray.”

He is survived by his loving wife, Sharon Gray; his daughter, Anthea Alexis Gray; son-in-law, Joshua Heath Clark; his son, Stanley Geron Gray II; and beloved and loyal dogs Clementine, Sasha, and Wilbur.

I so appreciate you honoring my father’s beautiful life!